Effect of molybdenum stress on growth,yield and seed quality in black gram

Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) var. Shyam plants were raised in refined sand at four levels of molybdenum (Mo), i.e., low (0.002 µM) to excess (2 µM) for 70 days. The molybdenum deficiency symptoms appeared as interveinal chlorosis of young and middle leaves. Compared to control (0.2 µM Mo), total dry matter, seed yield and seed protein decreased at low and excess Mo. The concentration of Mo in leaves and seed as well as activity of nitrate reductase increased with an increase in Mo supply. Low and excess Mo deteriorated the quality of seeds by lowering the content of starch, sugars, protein, and nitrogen and increasing electrical conductivity of seed leachate. Molybdenum deficiency and excess both resulted in production of lightweight immature seeds, poor in vigor and germination potential. The values of sufficiency and threshold of toxicity in leaves were 0.078 and 2.15 µg Mo g^?1 dry matter of black gram.     

Population structure and linkage disequilibrium of ICRISAT foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) core collection

Use of diverse germplasm is a key factor which allows high level of resolution due to extensive recombination in the history. Therefore, population used in association mapping should posses as many phenotypes as possible. One of the methods to obtain most of the phenotypes is to construct the core collection. The ICRISAT foxtail millet core collection consisting of 155 accessions was genotyped using 72 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure and linkage disequilibrium (LD). A high degree of molecular diversity among the accessions was found, with an average of 16.69 alleles per locus. STRUCTURE analyses classify the accessions into four subpopulations (SP) based on SSR allelic diversity. The Neighbor joining clustering and the principal coordinate analysis were in accordance with the racial classification. The distribution of molecular genetic variation among and within the four SP and three races showed high degree of variability within each group, and low level of genetic distance (GD) among the groups. LD decay of <40 cM of GD in foxtail millet core collection was observed, which suggests that it could be possible to achieve resolution down to the 40 cM level. From this investigation, it is evident that the foxtail millet core collection developed at ICRISAT is very diverse and could be a valuable resource for trait association mapping, crop breeding and germplasm management.     

Physiological and Biochemical Responses of French Bean to Excess Cobalt

ABSTRACT

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. ‘Anupama’ was grown in refined sand at variable levels of cobalt (Co), i.e., 0.0001 (control), 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, and 0.50 mM, supplied as cobalt sulfate. The symptoms of excess Co (0.50 mM) appeared at day 35. In addition to growth depression, the young leaves developed chlorosis from the apex leading toward the base; the chlorosis intensified, changed to necrosis, and the infected leaves dried and withered. Under excess Co (> 0.0001 mM), the flowers produced were fewer in number, smaller, and many failed to mature, leading to lower seed yield. Excess Co (> 0.0001 mM) decreased the biomass, seed yield (number and weight), concentration of chlorophyll, Hill reaction activity, and activity of catalase, and deteriorated the quality of produce (sugars, starch, and protein nitrogen (N)), but it increased the concentration of phenols and activity of certain enzymes, i.e., peroxidase, ribonuclease, and acid phosphatase. The concentration of Co in various parts of French bean increased with an increase in Co supply and that of iron (Fe) decreased concomitantly. The values of threshold of toxicity and toxicity of Co were 26 and 72 μg g^?1 in young leaves of French bean, respectively.     

Biocontrol-based management of fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Indian Maize

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (fall armyworm) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a key pest of maize that has recently entered in India causing damage and...     

Excess Nickel Modulates Oxidative Stress Responsive Enzymes in Groundnut

Groundnut plants exposed to excess nickel (Ni) produced visual symptoms of toxicity that intensified with increasing level and duration of metal supply. Decreased concentrations of pigments along with a marked increase in the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase suggest strong induction of oxidative stress due to excess Ni. The decreased activity of catalase may suggest interference of excess nickel in iron metabolism of plants. The appearance of metal specific toxicity is a likely result of damage predominantly due to enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at higher (300–400 μM) nickel supply. The threshold of toxicity (10% growth reduction) and toxicity (33% growth reduction) values of Ni in groundnut were 26 and 72 μg g^?1 in leaves, 17 and 94 μg g^?1 in stem and 45 and 240 μg g^?1 in roots respectively.     

Angling for endangered fish: conservation problem or conservation action?

Recreational angling has been implicated in population declines of some marine and freshwater fish, but this activity is rarely considered as a threat or even halted when endangered species are targeted. Indeed, in some cases, anglers are drawn to fish for rare or endangered species. Conservation‐oriented behaviours such as catch‐and‐release are often practiced voluntarily due to the ethics of anglers, yet even in these cases, some fishing mortality occurs. Nonetheless, there are many indirect conservation benefits associated with recreational angling. Here, we present a series of case‐studies and consider whether catch‐and‐release angling for endangered fish is a conservation problem or a conservation action. If recreational angling activities contribute to population‐level consequences that are contrary to recovery strategies, then angling for endangered species would seem to be a poor option. However, as revealed by several case‐studies, there is much evidence that anglers are vocal and effective proponents of fish and habitat conservation, and for endangered species, they are often the only voice when other stakeholders are not engaged. Anglers may contribute directly to conservation actions via user fees (e.g. licences), philanthropic donations or by volunteering in research, education and restoration activities. However, it is important to quantify post‐release mortality as well as understand the full suite of factors influencing a given population or species to know the potential risks. A risk assessment approach outlined in the paper may be used by managers to determine when the benefits of angling for endangered species outweigh the risks.     

Epidemiology of Leptospira infection in livestock species in Saint Kitts

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This pilot study describes the prevalence of Leptospira infection and exposure in livestock species, cattle, pig, sheep, and goats in Saint Kitts in the...     

Concurrent infection with ranavirus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and Aeromonas in a captive anuran colony

Four species (Dendrobates auratus, Phyllobates terribilis, Pyxicephalus adspersus, and Rhacophorus dennysi) of captive anurans with a clinical history of lethargy and inappetence were found dead and were submitted for necropsy. Gross lesions included irregular patches of sloughed skin and rare dermal ulcerations. Histologic findings included epidermal proliferation that was most pronounced on the digits and that included intracytoplasmic chytrid organisms. Bacteria were often associated with the epidermal lesions. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed in hepatocytes. Real-time polymerase chain reaction yielded positive results for both Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Bacterial culture of internal organs yielded Aeromonas hydrophila. This is the first report of concurrent infections in anurans by Ranavirus and Bd and A. hydrophila.     

Fonsecaea pedrosoi skin infection in a dog.

Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the most common fungal agent associated with human chromoblastomycosis. In the current study, a phaeohyphomycotic condition of the skin caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi is described in a dog.     

Evidence of subclinical foot-and-mouth disease virus infection in young calves born from clinically recovered cow under natural condition

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and economically important, transboundary viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. It is known that an...